Title Deed Transfer Procedures in Turkey

In this guide, we’ll give you an approximate overview of the title deed (Tapu) transfer process in Turkey, including the required documents, associated costs, and key considerations for a smooth transaction. The process itself is not overly complicated, but you need to know how to navigate in a system where even the smallest mistake can cause trouble and delays. Disclaimer: The information and guidelines are general. Fees, procedures, and timelines can vary depending on the specifics of each transaction.

How Is the Title Deed Transfer Processed?

The title deed transfer process in Turkey involves several steps:

Document Submission:

Required documents can be uploaded via the Web Land Registry Online System (Web tapu) or handed in manually by hand to the local land registry office. If handing in documents by hand, an appointment must be made via the ALO181 call center.

List of needed documents, standard procedure:

• Identification form (Kimlik bilgileriler beyan formu): Only needed when buyer is a foreign national
• Deed
• ID (Kimlik) and passport for foreign nationals
• Tax number: Only needed for foreign nationals
• Property evaluation document (Emlak beyan degeri)
• DAB (Currency exchange document/ Döviz alım belgesi): Only needed when buyer is a foreign national.

Important: The list of required documents may not be exhaustive. If the seller has undergone a name change, altered their signature, if there have been updates to the land registration information, or any other change or non-standard situation, the land registry office will request additional documentation.

Foreign Document Requirements:

Any documents issued abroad must be certified with the apostille stamp and then translated into Turkish by a public notary.

Notification & Fees:

After submitting your documents, you’ll receive an SMS with details about the fees, taxes, and your appointment time for the final transfer.

The approximate pricing is:

• Deed transfer tax: 4% of the sales value shown on deed (Satış bedeli)
• Other various fees: 6.000-8.000 TL
• Deed transfer fee (Döner sermaye): Both buyer and seller are Turkish: 5325 TL, either seller or buyer is foreign national: 22.000 TL, both buyer and seller are foreign nationals: 39.000 TL.
• DAB (Only when buyer is a foreign national): The price of the DAB (Currency exchange document/ Döviz alım belgesi) varies based on the agreements of the sale, exchange rates and banking conditions. This expense will usually be around 1-3% of the value shown on the deed (Satış bedeli).

Final Transfer:

The actual transfer of the deed from the seller to the buyer must be completed in person or via proxy at the Land Registry Office. Currently, there is no fully online process for finalizing the transaction.

Please note that in case the transactions have been started via power of attorney, it will also have to be completed via the same power of attorney. This means that you cannot initiate the process through a representative using a power of attorney and then complete it in person yourself. The entire procedure must be carried out either fully by the authorized representative or entirely by you.

We simplify the process for you

At 2Base, we simplify the title deed transfer process for our clients. By obtaining a power of attorney, we can represent both buyers and sellers at the Land Registry Office and other government institutions. This allows us to handle all procedures on your behalf, saving you time and effort—even if you’re abroad. For those who do not want to issue a power of attorney, we also handle the process together with you.

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